Snyder Duck Breed

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Qualities

Qualities

Leg FeatheringTheir feathered legs make this breed unique, being the only breed of ducks with this trait as a requirement. The leg feathers have no functional purpose and are just a decorative trait. One set back to this trait is that mud can ruin the leg feathers, tattering them or pulling them out making them look less pronounced. Keeping this breed mainly on grass covered yards(or at least away from mud) helps prevent this. Ducks will preen their leg feathers just like any of their other feathers, so swimming has no negative effects.

Temperament and Behaviour

Unsurprisingly, Snyders share a similar temperment as their ancestor breeds Anconas and Welsh Harlequins. They are generally a calmer breed and tame well if time is spent with them. They have also proven to be a hardy and thrifty breed. (In the spring of 2013 a trio of Snyders some how disappeared from one of my large holding pens. The property they were being kept at was surrounded by swampy wood land on 3 sides. Since raccoons, foxes, owls, fishers and coyotes where known to be fairly common in the area I assumed they had been taken by a predator. However after a little over a month of no sign of them, all three of them unexpectedly showed up along the fence line trying to find a way in. All were healthy and of good weight. This was a major surprise as my experience at this location had been leaving birds out over night ment something would almost always go missing.)

Hatchability

Since my first matings in 2003 I have not out bred this line of ducks and I continue to find they hatch very easily. Ducklings are always healthy and vigorous. The summer of 2016 was the first time I gave Snyder females the opportunity to incubate their own eggs. I gave 2 seperate groups the chance to sit. One group consisted of 4 drakes and 6 ducks, the other, 5 drakes and 9 ducks. Even with the slightly higher than normal drake to duck ratio I'd normally pen together, a good portion went broody. 3 ducks out of the first group and 5 ducks out of the second group went broody.

Egg Laying Abilities

This trait wasn't one intentionally selected for but again, unsurprisingly due to their heritage, these birds are good layers.

Growth and Meat Yield

Growth is at a rate similar to most breeds. I have put some selection towards meat yield and increased the Snyders weight alitlle compared to that of its parent breeds(Anconas and Welsh Harlequins). Enough meat is produced to make them worth slaughtering if desired(which is what I have done with the majority of my extra Snyder ducks), however if a meat duck is your sole reason for having ducks, a heavier breed would probably be better suited.

Colour Breeding*Offspring percentages given are theoretical. Since the available autosomal genes are passed on at random, actual percentages may vary from hatch to hatch.*